Chirag Paswan Faces Major Setback as 38 LJP (R) Leaders Resign in Bihar

In a shocking political development, 38 senior leaders of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas)—led by Chirag Paswan—have tendered their resignations simultaneously from the party. This mass resignation took place in Khagaria district, Bihar, and has triggered significant unrest within the party’s core structure.

The collective move is being seen as a strong message of dissent against Chirag’s leadership style and internal decision-making, especially in relation to local organizational changes made without consultation.

The Resignation Trigger: Leadership Discontent

The flashpoint appears to be the appointment of Manish Kumar as the new district president of LJP (R) in Khagaria. Party insiders claim that this decision was made unilaterally by MP Rajesh Verma, without involving ground-level workers or local leadership.

Disappointed with this move, former district president Shivraj Yadav, along with 37 other leaders, submitted a joint resignation letter accusing the party of neglecting grassroots voices.

Pattern of Resignations: Not an Isolated Incident

This isn’t the first time the party has faced a mass exit. In April 2024, 22 leaders from various districts left the party, alleging that ticket distribution for Lok Sabha elections was based on financial transactions rather than merit. The back-to-back internal revolts are increasingly painting a picture of a party in decline.

Impact on Chirag Paswan’s Leadership and the NDA

Chirag Paswan, son of the late Ram Vilas Paswan and Union Minister of Food Processing, has tried to reinvent LJP (R) with a fresh appeal, especially among youth and first-time voters. His “Bihar First, Bihari First” campaign was central to this image-building.

However, repeated resignations and allegations of favoritism are undermining his credibility, both inside and outside the NDA alliance. With Bihar Assembly elections due in 2025, this crisis could weaken the NDA’s rural network in critical districts like Khagaria, Begusarai, and Samastipur.

Political Reactions & Statements

While Chirag Paswan has yet to release an official statement, sources close to him claim that “the matter is being looked into internally.” Meanwhile, Rajesh Verma, the accused MP, has maintained that the district appointments were made in line with party interests.

Opposition leaders from RJD and JD(U) have wasted no time in pointing fingers, calling the resignations a “vote of no-confidence in Chirag’s leadership.”

Media Coverage & Public Sentiment

The resignations dominated social media trends in Bihar, with hashtags like #LJPRevolt and #ChiragPaswanCrisis gaining traction. Public opinion appears divided—while some continue to support Chirag as a dynamic face of the next-gen politics, others believe he is losing control over his own party.

What Lies Ahead for LJP (R)?

Here’s how this resignation wave may reshape the future:

Expert Take

Political analysts believe that internal democracy is missing in LJP (R). “This is not just a leadership crisis, it’s a credibility crisis,” said political expert Prof. R.N. Jha from Patna University. He added, “When district-level leaders lose faith, the electoral machinery crumbles.”